Ultrasound probe and ultrasound diagnostic apparatus

Abstract

An ultrasound probe includes a transducer array including vibrators arrayed in an azimuth direction each of which constitutes a single channel and has first transducer centrally located in an elevation direction and second transducers located on both sides of the first transducer, a first transmission and reception section for the first transducers of the respective channels, a second transmission and reception section for the second transducers of the respective channels, and a controller for controlling the first transmission and reception section to obtain reception data for B mode image through a simultaneous aperture for B mode image while controlling the first transmission and reception section and the second transmission and reception section to obtain reception data for sound speed through a simultaneous aperture for sound speed that is broader than the simultaneous aperture for B mode image.

1 . An ultrasound probe for transmitting an ultrasonic beam toward a subject and receives ultrasonic echoes from the subject, comprising:
 a transducer array including a plurality of vibrators arrayed in an azimuth direction of the transducer array, each vibrator constituting a single channel and having a first ultrasound transducer centrally located in an elevation direction of the transducer array and a pair of second ultrasound transducers located adjacent to and on both sides of the first ultrasound transducer;   a first transmission and reception section for performing transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves with the first ultrasound transducers of the respective channels;   a second transmission and reception section for performing transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves with the second ultrasound transducers of the respective channels; and   a controller for controlling the first transmission and reception section to obtain reception data for a B mode image by transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic beam for a B mode image through a simultaneous aperture for a B mode image formed by the first ultrasound transducers of given channels while controlling the first transmission and reception section and the second transmission and reception section to obtain reception data for measuring a sound speed by transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic beam for measuring a sound speed through a simultaneous aperture for measuring a sound speed that is broader than the simultaneous aperture for a B mode image.   
     
     
         2 . The ultrasound probe according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the first transmission and reception section includes a first transmission circuit for transmitting ultrasonic waves from the first ultrasound transducers of the respective channels and a first reception circuit for receiving ultrasonic waves to the first ultrasound transducers of the respective channels, and   wherein the second transmission and reception section includes a second transmission circuit for transmitting ultrasonic waves from the second ultrasound transducers of the respective channels and a second reception circuit for receiving ultrasonic waves to the second ultrasound transducers of the respective channels.   
     
     
         3 . The ultrasound probe according to  claim 2 , wherein the controller controls the first transmission circuit and the second transmission circuit to adjust positions of transmission focuses of the ultrasonic beams for measuring a sound speed in a depth direction by setting a delay between ultrasonic waves transmitted from the first ultrasound transducers and ultrasonic waves transmitted from the second ultrasound transducers of the respective channels. 
     
     
         4 . The ultrasound probe according to  claim 2 , wherein the controller controls the first transmission circuit and the first reception circuit so that the simultaneous aperture for measuring a sound speed is broader in the azimuth direction than the simultaneous aperture for a B mode image. 
     
     
         5 . The ultrasound probe according to  claim 4 , wherein the controller controls the first transmission circuit, the second transmission circuit, the first reception circuit and the second reception circuit so that the simultaneous aperture for measuring a sound speed is broader in the elevation direction than the simultaneous aperture for a B mode image. 
     
     
         6 . The ultrasound probe according to  claim 3 , wherein the controller controls the first transmission circuit and the first reception circuit so that the simultaneous aperture for measuring a sound speed is broader in the azimuth direction than the simultaneous aperture for a B mode image. 
     
     
         7 . The ultrasound probe according to  claim 6 , wherein the controller controls the first transmission circuit, the second transmission circuit, the first reception circuit and the second reception circuit so that the simultaneous aperture for measuring a sound speed is broader in the elevation direction than the simultaneous aperture for a B mode image. 
     
     
         8 . An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising:
 the ultrasound probe of  claim 1 ;   an image producer for producing a B mode image based on the obtained reception data for a B mode image; and   a sound speed calculator for calculating a sound speed based on the obtained reception data for measuring a sound speed.